Athynae Sarethi: The Making of a Princess, Entries from Athynae's childhood journals Options

[Athynae]

Hey guys, well seeing as Athynae and sometimes Athlain's antics as children have been referenced in Blood on the Moon and each time I have found myself writing the "memory", mostly in an effort to better understand her, I thought I would share some of those blasts from the past with you. The entries will not necessarily be in order, just snapshots from here and there at different ages and occasionally some entries from the PoV of other friends and family just to add some spice. The first entry will be the story of Athynae getting her first journal and why.




I hope you enjoy Athynae's childhood antics, I have sure had fun writing the handful that I have so far. Even better are some of the "memories" from others who know her. Just be cautious while reading with any beverages close as she has a tendency to speak her mind (like you didn't know that) and we all know what that can mean when a child is involved.




"Mama are housecats baby Khajiitt??" While standing next to a family of Khajiit in market square kind of thing.




*Note: It has been pointed out that Athynae seems a bit mature for her age in some of the entries and if I were gauging her by my two eldest children that would be true(quite normal but no less wonderful), however two ideas mingled together in regard to her intelligence and maturity; One- She is her own person and there is no comparing her to anyone on that level; Two- I sort of combined my two youngest children, my daughter who is and always has been an adult (just ask her) and my son who, at the age of two, slipped out the sliding glass door, off of the deck that was 5 feet off the ground (we have no idea how he did it), climbed the fence and went to the neighbor's to help him work on a car, oh, and he only had on a pull-up, my motorcycle goggles and his sister's paten leather dress shoes.




Please do what you do, comment, correct, suggest but most of all I hope you enjoy.





Athynae Serethi- The Making of a Princess…





I dedicate this endeavor to the three people who are responsible for Athynae's existence:




minque for creating her and graciously sharing her with treydog




treydog for making her a part of Athlain's world and subsequently introducing me to her through his story then allowing me to become her writer




and of course




Black Hand who has allowed me to make Seth such an important person in Athynae's life.

THANK YOU SO MUCH

This post has been edited by Athynae: Feb 3 2012, 03:09 AM

[Athynae]

And now we come to the final installment of Payback...hope you all like it.

The day of the challenge came early; it didn't matter- I hadn't slept anyway. How had two kids with a disagreement come all the way around to fighting for the honor of their respective Houses? And all because one of them wanted to win so bad he cheated and then turned it around to make it look like the other one cheated, the other one being me? I had pulled some stunts, gotten in some tight spots and been a lot of trouble to my parents, but none of it was because I was dishonest or under-handed. I had never, that I could remember, told anyone a lie or cheated at anything. The only time I had been tempted to cheat even was playing chess with Athlain. I hate chess and I stink at it, too.

I donned my leather armor and then meticulously inspected and cleaned my weapons. I knew I would be given a special sword for that part of the competition, one made especially for competitions, dulled to prevent fatal injuries. That didn't mean it didn't hurt to get hit with one, especially if the strike was well placed. I would be able to use my own bow for the archery part of the competition, I replaced the string so it would be perfect and chose a dozen of my best arrows and put them in my quiver. I removed the throwing stars from my sash but I left my dagger in my boot. I had never had to remove it before and I saw no reason to think I would this time. Besides, I didn't feel right without it there.

"Hey Naynay, are you ready?" Rahvin came into my room. "Mother and Father have already left so they could handle the formalities. Mother said to tell you to be there just before the trumpets sound to call order."

"I'll be there. I'm going for a walk in the gardens first." I was braiding my hair to keep it out of my eyes.

"See you there. He'll regret messing with you." And he was gone.

"Yeah." It was more of a thought than a response.

I had only met Berwain in competition once before, well except for the guar races, and it had been a couple of years. His parents, or more likely the Hlaalu representative for our district, had been sending him to competitions outside our territory. It didn't matter really, just meant I wasn't familiar with his style. I walked in the gardens, getting myself to that place, focusing. This wasn't just fun and games for me; competition never was, and this time it was bigger. I had teased Athlain about his 'honor,' but I felt the same way; I just didn't get bleary eyed about it. It still bothered me that House Hlaalu was forcing this. We were just kids, for crying out loud. We had no business fighting for the honor of our Houses. That didn't change the facts. I was going to teach that low life, good-for-nothing, lying cheat what it meant to bring my Redoran honor into question. He had really gone too far with this one.

"Say whatever you came to say, Uncle Seth." I was sitting on one of the benches and I just 'felt' his presence.

"Very good little one. You are learning." He sat down beside me. "I know you aren't concerned about the competition, so what is it that has you so worked up? You are as tight as that new bow string." And he twanged the string on my bow.

"I just can't get over being mad about this whole chain of events. How did it come to this? He cheated, him, and my honor is brought into question?" I was clenching and unclenching my fists.

"Let it go. You can't allow that to interfere with the competition. The emotions will cloud your thinking, keep you from fighting your best. Let it go." His voice was sharp and stern but I understood why.

"I know; that's what I am trying to do!" I didn't mean to yell but I did. "Sorry, I just…"

"You can carry all of this baggage in that arena with you and you will probably still win, but it won't be a pretty win. Let this go so you can walk into that arena with your head on straight and make this a clean, clear win. Leave no question as to who the victor is. This is no different than any other fight; you have met opponents that gave you a run for your money and still succeeded. Do me a favor. Don't let him even get that far. Stop him, just- stop him." And he rose from the bench and walked away.

The arena, a temporary grandstand just outside the wall, was crowded with spectators. Why was fighting so interesting to watch? There was an almost even mix of Hlaalu and Redoran people. Mother and Father, the representative from House Hlaalu and Berwain's parents sat midway in a covered box seat and the referees stood just under them on the arena floor.

Athlain was to my right, a step behind acting as my second, a nod to formalities. Berwain's second was one of the boys I had confronted six years ago for picking on Mae and Cai, Heldar. He was just as stupid as Berwain but the incident had served a purpose for him. He'd never retaliated nor had he picked on any of the kids again, at least not that I knew of.

We walked to the front of the box and Mother, along with the Hlaalu councilman, stood and gave us the rules. We would start with archery, then we would match swords and then a foot race from one end of the arena to the other and back, no small feat when you weren't tired, but after the rest it would definitely be a test.

"This is an official challenge to reinstate the honor of these two young people. Let it be known that as long as neither of them refuses the challenge, the outcome of this competition will bring any question of their honor to an end." Mother's voice rose above the din of the crowd, smooth and deep. "Athynae Sarethi, Berwain Arenim, do you accept these terms?"

We both indicated with a nod and went to one knee. "You are going down elf witch." Berwain whispered while our heads were bowed. I didn't offer a response, mostly because I felt it was disrespectful during the ceremony.

The archery judge stepped out from beneath the box. "You will each fire three arrows at the targets. Whoever strikes closest to the center will be declared the winner of the contest. If a clear winner cannot be determined, you will step back six paces and fire a single arrow each. This will continue until a winner can be determined."

We stepped to the line facing the archery targets and each nocked an arrow. Each arrow flew toward its respective target and in rapid succession the next two followed. The judge's voice rang through the arena, "Even. Six paces." The next station was actually marked by a line in the dirt. We nocked and fired again after we had stepped back.

The judges inspected the targets and stepped to the box and spoke briefly with Mother and Sera Ules. The archery judge returned to the targets as Mother's voice rose again

"The opponents are so closely matched we have decided to remove one target. Both will fire one arrow at a time, in turn, to determine a clear winner for this part of the contest. Berwain Arenim, you are granted the line first. Step up please."

He shot a nasty grin in my direction before he fired and, by all appearances from that distance, his arrow was anchored almost dead center. I just have to say- smug was not a good look for him.

I stepped to the line, taking my time pulling the arrow from my quiver as I focused on the target. The anger at this entire situation was still bubbling just under the surface and I was replaying the conversation I'd had with Uncle Seth when I heard a voice from the side line, clear and low, "Let it go, Thyna."

With the bow pointed downward I nocked the arrow as I let everything go. It was just me and that distant target, and I focused every sense I had on the fletching of the arrow protruding from the center of the target, raised the bow, pulled the string as I took a deep breath in, lined up, released half of the breath and 'twang'…. Time stopped it seemed while the arrow creased the air until 'shlup.' I heard the judges gasp. I looked to make sure I hadn't accidentally hit one of them as Berwain growled and threw his bow onto the ground. My arrow had split his into three pieces down the center. I heard Uncle Seth snicker, which made it even harder not to laugh.

We were given a break for a drink of water while the archery targets were removed and the temporary arena prepared for the next challenge. We had to stay inside a boundary to keep us from running each other into the wooden barricades that formed makeshift walls. We had each been given our choice of tournament swords, made specifically for this purpose, dulled so we couldn't stab or cut our opponent.

I decided well before we started that I was going to let Berwain wear himself out before I pressed my attack. His whole attitude about this entire fiasco was ludicrous; what did he think was going to happen? Even if I weren't skilled with weapons, this wasn't going to turn out well for him. The gods would see to that. He had been pushing his luck far too long; he had asked for this just the same as if he had put up posters that said "I need someone to kick my worthless butt."

"Fighters to the center please."

We stepped to the center of the ring and faced each other. The judge for this part of the competition reminded us, "No head strikes; do not lunge with the point of your sword. A win is determined by one being pinned, whether standing or on the ground. No magic and no other weapons except the swords you are fighting with. Understood?"

We both nodded our understanding. The sword I had chosen was in the sheath on my back, just like my real katana would be. Berwain already had his in his hand, looking to get the first strike in.

"Begin." And the judge stepped back.

"Draw your weapon, elf witch. Unless of course you are conceding before we even get started." And he swung the blade. I stepped back and pulled my upper body to the side and it missed my mid section just barely-by plan.

"Nah, I'll wait. No need in wearing myself out while you throw that thing around at nothing but air." I smiled at him.

"I wish this was a real sword so I could gut you like a boar." He narrowed his eyes and tried a spinning strike at my legs. I jumped over it like I was playing jump rope.

"Yeah, I know the feeling Bug Stain. Come on, this is what you wanted remember? To make a spectacle of kicking my butt. What are you waiting for? Here I am, come and get me." And I waved my hand in a gesture that said 'join me'.

He growled and pressed in. I felt the sting as his sword caught my upper arm. I'll give him this, he put some umph behind it, a nice bruise for sure. I'd had a few of those so this one was nothing new. I still hadn't drawn my sword. "You are just showing off your dodging skills. How are you in a real sword fight, Redoran scum?"

I shook my head, "Hurling words does nothing to me, Hlaalu has been. You should know that by now."

"I wish it was that little piece of scrap you call a brother out here. He's so worthless he wouldn't even stick to my boot if I stepped on him."

That one got me; I couldn't help it. I pulled the sword "You know, you really are as stupid as you look, maybe stupider. Look down at the dirt Berwain, cuz you are headed for a mouth full." And I struck the pose that I knew would draw him close.

He stepped in and I whirled around him and smacked his backside with the flat of the sword as I came to a stop behind him. The crowd roared. I'd never done anything like this before but if he wanted humiliation I was going to let him have it. Of course it was me that was supposed to be humiliated; lessons were in need of being learned…



He landed a couple more good whacks, but he got more than he gave, along with another to the other side of his lower brain. Sit on that for a while idiot. He was breathing hard; I was getting there but I absolutely was not going to let him know that, I still appeared to be just as relaxed as I was when we started.

He was getting angrier and angrier and in the process losing focus, making wild swings that struck nothing, growling at me and panting for breath. "What's wrong Berwain? Do you need a 'sight' potion? Didn't eat your oats this morning? Come on, this is what you wanted, what are you waiting for? Here I am, geez, I'm not so small you can't see me." I didn't usually tease my opponents either, but for the most part the competitors I had met were honorable and just wanted to test their skill same as me.

Berwain tried a rush with an overhand swing, and I stuck out my foot as he went by. He slid across the arena floor, both hands over his head and his face buried in the dirt. When he rolled over, I put my sword in the center of his chest. The judge called, "Done," and I couldn't help it; I laughed out loud. His lower lip was full of grit like he had stuffed his mouth with hackle lo like I had seen some of the farmers do. "I didn't know you could dip dirt. If it's all the same to you, I don't think I'll try it."

He started moving his mouth and I could barely hear his voice so I leaned down as if to help him up. "You use magic, and mark my words, it will be the last spell you ever utter. It is hard to talk with a broken jaw. You wanted an 'honorable' match, or at least that's what you wanted them to believe. Do not test me Bug Stain, I am tired of your crap."

I didn't help him up in the end. We were given another break for water and to put anything down that we felt would slow us for the foot race. The only thing I gave up was the stupid tournament sword. If it had been my own katana I probably wouldn't have but just because it was mine and I liked it being in the scabbard at my back.

For all intents and purposes I had won the challenge, but for the sake of completeness I suppose we were required to finish the foot race as well. Mother had told me that Sera Ules had insisted that this be one of the challenges so that was why there were three. She had picked swords for me, he had picked the foot race for Berwain and the third was chosen randomly in a blind draw. So, we stepped to the line.

Berwain was still slightly out of breath, and although my heart rate had increased a bit, I had yet to be overly exerted. That brought home to me more than ever the importance of the training I did. I mean I did it because I wanted to, because I loved it, and I knew the importance of it, but now I understood why it was important. "Just remember when you are lying in your bed tonight that you are the one that asked for this." I didn't look at him when I said it, but he heard me- I heard the growl. He made that sound a lot- I guess because he didn't have a large enough vocabulary to express how he really felt.

"Runners to your mark." We stepped to the line. "Get set." I tucked and dug my left foot into the ground, and Berwain just looked at me like I was crazy. BOOM! The flash spell exploded from the judge's hand and we were off. He wasn't in front of me, so I didn't press. I was running, fast, just not top speed; why waste energy that I didn't have to, especially on him. I slid in a crouch at the end line and turned and shot back again as I had from the start. He was just reaching the end line. I just ran, without caring where he was because like I said, he wasn't in front of me. When I got close to the start/finish line I considered turning around and taunting him, but that would have been a bit dishonorable even though it would feel so good to add insult to injury.

The trumpets sounded and Sera Ules' voice rang loud "Athynae Sarethi is the clear winner of the challenge. Let it be known that her honor has been restored."



"MY WHAT?" I was fuming as I marched up to the Hlaalu Councilor. My honor had only been in question because the lying cheat had brought it into question and all of the notices as well as the announcements Mother had made at the beginning had been vague, a general reference to both of us. "I played this fool game for the good graces of both Houses. I know what he accused me of, but Sera Ules, it was he that cheated and lied, not I. I just did not want to reduce myself to his level by counter accusation. I assumed that this would just let it be what it was in the end. But for you to announce it thus, I take offense. My honor, sera, should have never been in question to start with. He dosed his guar to win the race and mine was dosed without my knowledge, by someone who overheard what he was planning in order to even the odds. His nose got broken because he was hurling insults at me when I was on my way to the judges' stand to concede the race. I heard him running toward me and I turned and put out my hand to stop him from tackling me and HE ran into my hand. Now you can do with that information what you will, but Sera Ules, please do not question my honor again- or there will be a reckoning."

And I started for the gate at the end of the arena where Berwain was standing slack jawed. I stepped to him and in a voice only he could hear said, "I had planned to offer an olive branch and let the past be gone but that," and I pointed toward the box, "changed my mind. I may be a lot of things, and there may be hordes of people who do not like me, but I have never lied to you or anyone else, I have never cheated, I have never to my knowledge been under-handed in any way, but none the less you spread lies about me. Not only that you took those lies to the leaders. I have triumphed today not solely because of skill but because the gods saw need to punish you. Azura be praised. You will never be trusted again if it is the last thing I do." And as I shouldered past him, he never said a word.

Athlain stepped in my path and I skirted him as I said, "Not now Athlain, just leave me alone, please. I need to get this vile taste out of my mouth." Actually I just didn't want anyone to see me cry. I was so mad that I knew that's what was coming. I went to the practice field; Athlain would give me space and keep Rahvin away even though he knew where I was. Mother would be occupied with the stink I stirred up and Father would stay with her so that left Uncle Seth. Great, just what I need now a lecture about how I handled it. UGH!